NORWAY — The newly formed coalition to fight poverty in the greater Oxford Hills area has received a $3,780 grant to kick-start its efforts.

The New Initiative Fund Grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Maine will pay for a mobile office and mobile Internet access to help area residents in need to connect with resources from both nonprofits and government entities.

It also includes funding to create a manual for local nonprofits, churches and towns to use in guiding people in need to the correct resources. The plan is to distribute copies of the manual to nonprofits, towns and churches in the region.

According to the Diocese, the Oxford Hills Community Resource Coalition was one of 13 groups to apply for the grant and one of four to receive funding.

The coalition has members from Rumford Group Homes, the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, Community Concepts, Avesta Housing, the Maine State Housing Authority and area churches.

Local food pantries, shelters and other groups working to help people in need who want to be included in the resource manual may contact Ed Provencher at Rumford Group Homes at 369-9439.